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Mbrace- Do I really need it?

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Old 01-06-2018, 02:38 PM
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Mbrace- Do I really need it?

Why do I need to pay for Mbrace again? My wife says it’s like AA for MB, i.e. road side assistance, auto crash detection and so on..I know the phone app does not work at all, remote start and the like. We pay for sirusXM separately with traffic and weather even though our 2014 S550 V22 gps is far from accurate, traffic symbols are useless, new $300 update[2017] disk did nothing. The wife uses Waze, I use google maps, which can not be mirrored to command screen without a major workaround intstall. The WiFi function does NOT function as it is 3G( MB had my car for 2 weeks trying to figure out why, finally found a former MB tech working for Porsche in Florida that knew that the cars 3G phone has to bounce from a server in Virginia to Stuttgart, Germany to Virginia to the cars 3G reciver, which causes the connection to ”time out” rendering it completely useless (they still sell the 2018’s with said WiFi option that does not work) also, 4G will not connect to 3G. Period. Sorry... venting on that one...and so, back to my original query, will my red S.O.S button not work if I don’t have Mbrace? I have never used there concierge, phone app is useless(tried that) so I’m at a loss as to why I’m paying for this....any thoughts?
Old 01-08-2018, 11:59 AM
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I have AAA and don't see much worthwhile about mBrace, at least for my purposes. I currently have five years of complimentary access to the basic mBrace product (I didn't even bother to sign up for the free trial of the other add-on options) and won't pay for it if I still have the car when it expires.
Old 02-23-2018, 03:54 PM
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I'm late to this conversation but that is my question as well. What do I lose if I don't have mbrace?
Old 02-23-2018, 04:55 PM
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My understanding is that the S.O.S button only work with mbrace. And it works on satellite, so if your car is on its side in a ditch somewhere with no cell signal, you may need that button. Also, with mbrace they can track your car so if it’s in an accident severe enough to pop the airbags, theyll call you, and if there’s no answer, they’ll call 911.
Old 02-23-2018, 07:30 PM
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The basic mbrace is:
  • Remote access from your phone or computer with Mercedes me
  • Vehicle locating and tracking
  • In-vehicle apps like Yelp and local search
  • Remote diagnostics for easier servicing
I guessing that is what you get with the warranty.

The bonus stuff comes in the Secure, Connect, Concierge and Entertainment packages.
Old 02-23-2018, 10:32 PM
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Originally Posted by rey_winslow
The basic mbrace is:
  • Remote access from your phone or computer with Mercedes me
  • Vehicle locating and tracking
  • In-vehicle apps like Yelp and local search
  • Remote diagnostics for easier servicing
I guessing that is what you get with the warranty.

The bonus stuff comes in the Secure, Connect, Concierge and Entertainment packages.
what do you think “Vehicle locating and tracking” is?
Old 02-23-2018, 10:56 PM
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From https://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/Digital...0814_KH_v2.pdf

Locate Vehicle:
View the vehicle’s current location upon request with the Mercedes me app.
Service Description:
Locate Vehicle allows a customer to view the location of their vehicle with the Mercedes me
app.
Once the customer has launched the app, it will begin to acquire their vehicle’s GPS
coordinates from the Telematics Control Unit (TCU). Once the vehicle is located a map will be
displayed pinpointing the locations of the vehicle. If the GPS coordinates cannot be obtained
or if the vehicle is further than one mile away from the customer’s location, a message will
appear on the Mercedes me app indicating the vehicle could not be located.
Locate Vehicle is available via the Mercedes me app. A customer cannot locate their vehicle by
calling the mbrace Response Center.

I'm guessing that tracking is related to stolen vehicles. (?)

Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance:
Provide assistance to law enforcement officials in locating and recovering stolen vehicles.
Service Description:
Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance gives customers a safe and streamlined way to help local
law enforcement officials in locating and potentially recovering their vehicle if it is
ever stolen.
How It Works:
STEP 1: After a police report has been filed on the stolen vehicle, the customer contacts the
mbrace Response Center at 866-990-9007.
STEP 2: The mbrace Customer Specialist requests and verifies the customer’s identity and
police report case number.
STEP 3: The mbrace Customer Specialist acquires location information from the stolen
vehicle’s TCU.
STEP 4: The mbrace Customer Specialist contacts the appropriate authorities with the
customer’s police report case number.
STEP 5: The mbrace Customer Specialist communicates the stolen vehicle’s location to local
law enforcement officials.
STEP 6: If needed, the mbrace Customer Specialist will remain on the line with law enforcement
to continue tracking the vehicle.
STEP 7: Local authorities will contact the customer regarding the status of the recovery effort.

But the vehicle location requires mbrace Secure subscription so I'm not sure.
Old 02-24-2018, 01:53 AM
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What is auto crash detection? It sounds intrusive, another database of personal info?
Old 02-26-2018, 07:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Tomsti
What is auto crash detection? It sounds intrusive, another database of personal info?
I believe that's the airbag deployment notification, i.e, if you're in an accident of sufficient severity to deploy the airbags, MB will be notified.
Old 02-26-2018, 12:26 PM
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Coincidentally, I received an invitation last week to complete an online survey regarding mBrace.
Old 12-21-2021, 11:08 AM
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Only if you want remote start

Originally Posted by Nexus9
Why do I need to pay for Mbrace again? My wife says it’s like AA for MB, i.e. road side assistance, auto crash detection and so on..I know the phone app does not work at all, remote start and the like. We pay for sirusXM separately with traffic and weather even though our 2014 S550 V22 gps is far from accurate, traffic symbols are useless, new $300 update[2017] disk did nothing. The wife uses Waze, I use google maps, which can not be mirrored to command screen without a major workaround intstall. The WiFi function does NOT function as it is 3G( MB had my car for 2 weeks trying to figure out why, finally found a former MB tech working for Porsche in Florida that knew that the cars 3G phone has to bounce from a server in Virginia to Stuttgart, Germany to Virginia to the cars 3G reciver, which causes the connection to ”time out” rendering it completely useless (they still sell the 2018’s with said WiFi option that does not work) also, 4G will not connect to 3G. Period. Sorry... venting on that one...and so, back to my original query, will my red S.O.S button not work if I don’t have Mbrace? I have never used there concierge, phone app is useless(tried that) so I’m at a loss as to why I’m paying for this....any thoughts?
Remote START will STOP working after 5 yrs. Then you have to pay for it to work as thereare no aftermarket options. As you may or may not know it works 50% of the time. I will never buy another MB.
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